Clavicle brace

ABSTRACT

A clavicle brace for giving support to a patient&#39;&#39;s shoulders during the healing of an injured clavicle. The clavicle brace includes a body portion and integral first and second strap portions made generally of reticulated foam. A coupling means is substantially fixedly attached to the body portion for allowing the distal ends of the first and second strap portion to extend therearound after passing over the patient&#39;&#39;s shoulders and under his axillae. The distal ends of the first and second strap portions are then doubled back on themselves and attached by Velcro type fastening means to other parts of the first and second strap portions thereby properly securing the clavicle brace to the patient.

Kaplan 128/78 United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,856,004

COX Dec. 24, 1974 1 CLAVICLE BRACE [75] Inventor: Wayne H. Cox,Pontotoc, Miss. Pmfmry Exam,'er Rchard Gaudet Asszstant ExammerJ. Yasko73] Asslgneez glomfort Care Products, Pontotoc, Attorney, Agent, orFirm-John R. Walker, [I]

[22] Filed: Dec. 26, 1973 57 ABSTRACT [21] Appl. NO. ,995 A claviclebrace for giving support to a patients shoulders during the healing ofan injured clavicle. [52] CL 128/87 R 128"); 19 2/45 The clavicle braceincludes a body portion and inte- [51] Int CL A i 5/04 gral first andsecond strap portions made generally of [58] Field of r h DIG l5reticulated foam. A coupling means is substantially 2/44' fixedlyattached to the body portion for allowing the distal ends of the firstand second strap portion to ex- [56] References Cited tend therearoundafter passing over the patients UNITED STATES PATENTS shoulders andunder his axillae. The distal ends of the first and second strapportions are then doubled back 198,503 12/1877 Altmann 2/45 onthemselves and attached Velcro type fastening 22 12/1894 Gamble 2/45means to other parts of the first and second strap porg 1:32; tionsthereby properly securing the clavicle brace to 2:450,298 9/1948Peterson et al.... l28/DlG. 19 the Stuttle 4. 128/78 7 Claims, 5 DrawingFigures BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention Thisinvention relates to devices for supporting the shoulder region of apatients body duringthe healing or mending of injured, dislocated,fractured or broken clavicles.

Description of the Prior Art: The prior art includes the following U.S.Pats: Meek, No. 3,141,456; Mc- Leod, No. 3,338,236; Stiefel, No.3,382,868; Hall, No. 3,449,441; Kaplan, No. 3,548,818; and Gaylord, No.3,718,137. None of the above patents disclose or suggest the presentinvention.

As evidenced by the above patents, numerous clavicle braces are known inthe art and typically comprise a pair of straps extending over thepatients shoulders, under his axillae, and to a connector positioned onthe middle of his back. However, these previous clavicle braces havebeen disadvantageous in that they are relatively difficult to adjustproperly to the patient. They often pull at the wrong angles to theinjured clavicles, and they are relatively complicated to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towardsovercoming the problems and disadvantages in previous clavicle braces.The concept of the present invention is to provide a clavicle brace thatis simple to adjust properly, that always pulls at the correct angle tothe injured clavicle, and that is simple to manufacture.

The present invention discloses a universal clavicle brace including abody for positioning substantially over the upper back of the patient, afirst strap attached to the upper portion of the body for extending overone shoulder and under the corresponding axilla of the patient, a secondstrap attached to the upper portion of the body adjacent the first strapfor extending over the other shoulder and under the corresponding axillaof the patient, and coupling means attached to the body below the firstand second strapsfor allowing the distal ends of the first and secondstraps to extend therethrough after passing under the respective axillaeof the patient and to be subsequently doubled back on themselves forallowing the distal ends of the first and second straps to be fastenedto other portions of the first and second straps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a patientwearing the clavicle brace of the present invention.

healing of a dislocated, injured or fractured clavicle.

The clavicle brace 11 includes a body 13, first strap 15,v

second strap 17, and coupling means 19. The first strap 15 is attachedto the upper portion of the body 13 for extending over one shoulder andunder the corresponding axilla of the patient. The first strap 15 has adistal end 15' which includes a fastening means 21 thereon for allowingthe distal end 15 to be fastened to other portions of the first stap 15and has a medial portion 15". The second strap 17 is attached to theupper portion of the body 13 adjacent the first strap 15 for extendingover the other shoulder and under the corresponding axilla of thepatient. The second strap 17 has a distal end 17' which includes afastening means 23 I thereon for allowing the distal end 17 to befastened to other portions of the second strap 17 and has a medialportion 17".

The coupling means 19 is attached to the body 13 below the first andsecond straps l5, 17 for allowing the distal ends 15', 17 of the firstand second straps 15, 17 to extend therethrough after passing under therespective axilla of the patientand to be subsequently doubled back onthemselves for allowing the fastening means 21, 23 to attach the distalends l5, 17' of the first and second straps 15, 17 to the medialportions 15", 17" of the first and second straps 15, 17 thereby properlysecuring the clavicle brace 11 to the patient. Preferably, the couplingmeans 19 includes a first leg 25, a second leg 27, and a third leg 29joined together 5 13 through a fabric loop 31. The fabric loop 31 is at-FIG. 2 is a rear view of a patient wearing the clavicle brace of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a portion of the present invention showinghow the coupling means is attached to the body of the clavicle brace.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a portion of the present invention showinghow the distal end of the first strap extends through the coupling meansand is subsequently fastened to itself.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the clavicle split of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The clavicle brace 11 of thepresent invention is for use in giving support to a patients shouldersduring the tached to the body 13 by stitching or the like. The fabricloop 31 allows the coupling means 19 to be firmly held against the body13 while allowing the second and third legs 27, 29 of the coupling means19 to be pivoted away from the body 13 for ease in inserting the firstand second straps 15, 17 therethrough. The second leg 27 dependsdownwardly from the first leg 25 for allowing the distal end 15' of thefirst strap to be doubled therearound. Likewise, the second leg 29depends downwardly from the first leg 25 for allowing the distal end 17'of the second strap 17 to be doubled therearound.

Preferably, the body 13 and the first and second straps 15, 17 are of aone-piece, integral construction. The body 13 and the first and secondstraps 15, 17 are preferably constructed of a first layer 33 ofreticulated foam such as Scott industrial type foam and a second layer35 of synthetic fabric laminated to the first layer 33 of reticulatedfoam. The first layer 33 of reticulated foam is for contacting thepatients body and provides a soft, absorbent and porous surface. Thefirst layer 33 of reticulated foam also prevents the straps 15, 17 frombiting into the patients axillae as they extend thereunder. The secondlayer 35 of synthetic fabric preferably consists of a Velcro hooksensitive material. Likewise, the fastening means 21, 23 of the distalends 15', 17' of the first and second straps 15, 17 preferably consistof a Velcro hook material for engagement with the Velcro hook sensitivematerial.

In placing the clavicle brace 11 of the present invention on a patient,the body 13 is positioned substantially over the upper back of thepatient and the first and-secnd straps 15, 17 are placed over thepatients shoulders, under the corresponding axillae and looped aroundthe second and third legs 27, 29 of the coupling means 19. The first andsecond straps 15, 17 are then pulled tightly to properly position theclavicle brace 11 on the patient. Next, the fastening means 21, 23 ofthe distal ends 15', 17 of the first and second straps 15, 17 arefastened to the medial portions 15", 17" of the first and second straps15, 17. The clavicle brace 11 of the present invention is universallyapplicable to patients regardless of body size, simple to adjustproperly, and always pulls at the correct angle to the injured clavicle.

Althouugh the invention has been described and illustrated with respectto a preferred embodiment thereof, it is not to be so limited sincechanges and modifications may be made therein which are within the fullintended scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A clavicle brace for giving support to a patients shoulders duringthe healing of an injured clavicle, said i clavicle brace comprising:

a. body means for positioning substantially over the upper back of thepatient; b.v first strap means attached to the upper portion of saidbody means for extending over one shoulder and uncer the correspondingaxilla of the patient, said first strap means having a distal endincluding fastening means thereon for allowing it to be fastened toother portions of said first strap means; c. second strap means attachedto the upper portion of said bodymeans adjacent said first strap meansfor extending over the other shoulder and under the corresponding axillaof the patient, said second strap means having a distal end includingfastening means thereon for allowing it to be fastened to other portionsof said second strap means; coupling means attached to said body meansbelow said first and second strap means for allowing the distal ends ofsaid first and second strap means to extend therethrough after passingunder the respective axilla of the patient and to be subsequentlydoubled back on themselves for allowing said fastening means to attachsaid distal ends of said first and second strap means to other portionsof said first and second strap means, said coupling means including afirst leg, a second leg, and a third leg 3. The clavicle brace of claim2 in which said body means and said first and second strap means includea first side of reticulated foam for contacting the patientbody andinclude a second side of synthetic fabric.

4. A clavicle brace for giving support to a patients shoulders duringthe healing of an injured clavicle, said clavicle brace comprising:

a. a body means for positioning substantially over the upper back of thepatient; b. first strap means attached to the upper portion of said bodymeans for extending over one shoulder and under the corresponding axillaof the patient, said first strap means having a distal end and a medialportion, said distal end including fastening means thereon for allowingit to be fastened to said medial portion of said first strap means;

. second strap means attached to the upper portion of said body meansadjacent said first strap means for extending over the other shoulderand under the corresponding axilla of the patient, said second strapmeans having a distal end and a medial portion, said distal endincluding fastening means thereon for allowing it to be fastened to saidmedial portion of said second strap means;

d. coupling means including a first'leg, a second leg,

and a third leg joined together to form an equilateral triangle, saidfirst leg being substantially fixedly attached to said body means belowsaid first and second strap means, said second leg depending downwardlyfrom said first leg for allowing said distal end of said first strapmeans to extend therearound after passing under the respective axilla ofthe patient and to be subsequently doubled back on itself for allowingsaid fastening means to attach said distal end of said first strap meansto said medial portion of said first strap means, and said third legdepending downwardly from said first leg for allowing said distal end ofsaid second strap means to extend therearound after passing under therespective axilla of the patient and to be subsequently doubled back onitself for allowing said fastening means to attach said distal end ofsaid second strap means to said medial portion of said second strapmeans.

5. The clavicle brace of claim 4 in which said body means and said firstand second strap means are of a one-piece, integral construction.

6. The clavicle brace of claim 5 in which said body means and said firstand second strap means include a first side of reticulated foam forcontacting the patients body and include a second side of synthetic fab-7. The clavicle brace of claim 6 in which said synthetic fabric consistsof a Velcro hook sensitive material and in which said fastening means ofsaid first and second strap consists of a Velcro hook material forengagement with said Velcro hook sensitive material.

1. A clavicle brace for giving support to a patient''s shoulders duringthe healing of an injured clavicle, said clavicle brace comprising: a.body means for positioning substantially over the upper back of thepatient; b. first strap means attached to the upper portion of said bodymeans for extending over one shoulder and uncer the corresponding axillaof the patient, said first strap means having a distal end includingfastening means thereon for allowing it to be fastened to other portionsof said first strap means; c. second strap means attached to the upperportion of said body means adjacent said first strap means for extendingover the other shoulder and under the corresponding axilla of thepatient, said second strap means having a distal end including fasteningmeans thereon for allowing it to be fastened to other portions of saidsecond strap means; d. coupling means attached to said body means belowsaid first and second strap means for allowing the distal ends of saidfirst and second strap means to extend therethrough after passing underthe respective axilla of the patient and to be subsequently doubled backon themselves for allowing said fastening means to attach said distalends of said first and second strap means to other portions of saidfirst and second strap means, said coupling means including a first leg,a second leg, and a third leg joined together to form an equilateraltriangle; said first leg being substantially fixedly attached to saidbody means, said second leg depending downwardly from said first leg forallowing said distal end of said first strap means to be doubledtherearound, and said third leg depending downwardly from said first legfor allowing said distal end of said second strap means to be doubledtherearound.
 2. The clavicle brace of claim 1 in which said body meansand said first and second strap means are of a one-piece, integralconstruction.
 3. The clavicle brace of claim 2 in which said body meansand said first and second strap means include a first side ofreticulated foam for contacting the patient''body and include a secondside of synthetic fabric.
 4. A clavicle brace for giving support to apatient''s shoulders during the healing of an injured clavicle, saidclavicle brace comprising: a. a body means for positioning substantiallyover the upper back of the patient; b. first strap means attached to theupper portion of said body means for extending over one shoulder andunder the corresponding axilla of the patient, said first strap meanshaving a distal end and a medial portion, said distal end includingfastening means thereon for allowing it to be fastened to said medialportion of said first strap means; c. second strap means attached to theupper portion of said body means adjacent said first strap means forextending over the other shoulder and under the corresponding axilla ofthe patient, said second strap means having a distal end and a medialportIon, said distal end including fastening means thereon for allowingit to be fastened to said medial portion of said second strap means; d.coupling means including a first leg, a second leg, and a third legjoined together to form an equilateral triangle, said first leg beingsubstantially fixedly attached to said body means below said first andsecond strap means, said second leg depending downwardly from said firstleg for allowing said distal end of said first strap means to extendtherearound after passing under the respective axilla of the patient andto be subsequently doubled back on itself for allowing said fasteningmeans to attach said distal end of said first strap means to said medialportion of said first strap means, and said third leg dependingdownwardly from said first leg for allowing said distal end of saidsecond strap means to extend therearound after passing under therespective axilla of the patient and to be subsequently doubled back onitself for allowing said fastening means to attach said distal end ofsaid second strap means to said medial portion of said second strapmeans.
 5. The clavicle brace of claim 4 in which said body means andsaid first and second strap means are of a one-piece, integralconstruction.
 6. The clavicle brace of claim 5 in which said body meansand said first and second strap means include a first side ofreticulated foam for contacting the patient''s body and include a secondside of synthetic fabric.
 7. The clavicle brace of claim 6 in which saidsynthetic fabric consists of a Velcro hook sensitive material and inwhich said fastening means of said first and second strap consists of aVelcro hook material for engagement with said Velcro hook sensitivematerial.